Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, is set to be arraigned by on an amended 20-count charge at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, this Friday.
The charges, initially six in August 2023, have been increased to 20 in the amended version filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Emefiele, who pleaded not guilty to the initial charges of alleged fraudulent procurement, was granted bail in November 2023.
The amended charges, dated January 17, 2024, reveal new counts related to the alleged fraudulent award of contracts to Emefiele’s wife, Omoile Margret, his brother-in-law, Omoile Macombo, and other associates. The charges include accusations of conspiracy to commit forgery, conferring corrupt advantage, and criminal breach of trust. The fresh arraignment is set to take place before Justice Muazu, who had previously granted Emefiele bail.
This legal development follows the government’s initial filing of a 6-count charge against the former CBN Governor in 2023. The amended charges indicate an expansion of the case, highlighting alleged wrongdoing in the awarding of contracts to Emefiele’s family members and associates. The court proceedings are expected to shed light on the specifics of the accusations and Emefiele’s defense.
Count 1 of the charge reads, “Conferring corrupt advantage contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000″
The particulars of the offence are that “You, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in 2019 did use your position as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria to confer a corrupt advantage on Sa’aclatu Ramallan Yaro, a staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria by awarding a contract for the supply of 37 (Nos.) Toyota Hilux Vehicles at the cost of N854,700,000 only to April 1616 Investment Ltd, a company in which the said Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro is a Director and you thereby committed an offence.”
Another count: In the amended charge, Emefiele was accused of obtaining the sum of $6.2m by pretence by falsely representing the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The FG said the offence was contrary to Section 1(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
The charge read, “That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele male, adult, and Odoh, Eric Ocheme (Still at large) on or about the 8th day of February 2023 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court knowingly obtained by false pretence, the sum of Six Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand United State Dollar ($6,230,000.00) by falsely representing that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation vide a letter dated 26th January, 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201 requested the Central Bank of Nigeria to provide a contingent logistic advance in the sum of $6,230,000.00 “in line with Mr. President’s directive” which representation you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence.”
Count 7: “Conferring corrupt advantage contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.”
The offence particulars are “That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emeiele, male, adult, sometime in December, 2014 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use your position as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to confer a corrupt advantage on your wife, Omoile Margret, and brother-in-law Omoile Macombo by awarding a contract for the total renovation of the CBN Governor’s Residence lying, being and situate at No. 2 Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos in the sum of Eighty Two Milion, Eighty-Six Thousand, One Hundred and Twenty-Nine Naira, Thirty Kobo (N 82,086,129.30) to Messrs. Architekon Nigeria Limited, a company wherein the duo are directors and majority shareholders and you thereby committed an offence”.
Count 17: “Conspiracy to commit felony to wit: forgery contrary to section 96 (1) and punishable under section 364 of the Penal Code Law, Cap 89 Laws of the Federation, 1990”.
The offence particulars are, “That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele male, adult, and Odoh, Eric Ocheme (Still at large) sometime in January, 2023 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court agreed amongst yourselves to cause to be done an illegal act to wit: forgery of a document titled: RE: PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE ON FOREIGN ELECTION OBSERVER MISSIONS dated 26 January, 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201 and you thereby committed an offence”.
On Thursday, the Federal Capital Territory High Court approved Emefiele’s request to travel outside Abuja.
However, the court emphasized that Emefiele is required to remain within the country, in accordance with the bail conditions that limit his movements to the Federal Capital Territory.